Round One went to overtime before the Nashville Predators gave up their first short handed goal since 2012 to drop a heartbreaker to the Chicago Blackhawks last Saturday night at United Center… tonight is round two in this four round regular season battle royale that will be completed before the year ends. Nashville has always played the ‘Hawks tough and this year has been no exception. Saturday night was a typical tight checking battle… I expect nothing less than that tonight.
Nashville is off to one of the best starts in franchise history, ten points in twelve games without a regulation loss. Chicago is doing what they always do… win early and often. They trail the Predators by a single point for the division lead but they have played one less game in this very young season.
Chicago comes in without their starting goaltender. Corey Crawford went down prior to their Tuesday night game against Philly with a mysterious lower body injury that no one seems to know when or where it happened, but Antti Raanta was Johnny-on-the-spot shutting out the punchless Flyers, stopping all 32 shots he faced. Expect Raanta between the pipes tonight. Former Pred prospect Scott Darling has been called up to back up Raanta in this one.
The Blackhawks will face Pekka Rinne in net for the Predators for the first time this season. Carter Hutton did a fantastic job keeping his team in the game on Saturday night and the Preds will need yeoman’s work from the big Finn to keep the high powered Chicago offense in check. Both teams are equal in the scoring department, scoring 15 goals each on this season… Chicago’s power play is their engine, scoring 5 of their goals on the man advantage… the Predators have been pouring on the offense on even strength with 11 of their goals coming 5 on 5 with an empty netter to boot. The Nashville power play is struggling for some consistency, only scoring 2 on the man advantage thus far.
There is a “scoring first” stat to be broken tonight… Chicago is 4-0 so far this season in games where they score first… Nashville is 3-0-1 in games where their opponent scores first, the OTL came in Chicago last Saturday night. These “four point” divisional games are critical for both teams
Game time is 7pm, with a sellout expected… some of the prices I have seen on the secondary market back that up. Game coverage on Fox Sports Tennessee and the Predators Radio Network
---------------------------------
Random Notes
- Our hearts and our prayers are with the city of Ottawa.
- Chills in Pittsburgh last night for the singing of “O Canada.”
-Nashville and Chicago are the only two teams in the NHL without a regulation loss.
-The Edmonton Oilers sent the Capitals to their first regulation loss last night.
- Gotta give the Flyers credit… they really brought it last night. Good win to build on.
- Good heavens, Corey Perry is on fire to start this season, netting his second hat trick of the season as the Ducks won again.
--------------------------------------
You are invited to follow me on Twitter. Search for @PredPAPaul… Not only will I be updating when I get news or updates, but we are having a bit of fun by getting your input on Gnash introductions, weigh in on Twitter and who knows, we may use your introduction for the best mascot in the NHL at the next Preds game! You can also keep up with all the goings on with SlapShot Radio by following the show on Twitter @SlapShotRadio1
Also... make sure to "like" SlapShot Radio on Facebook... here's the
link.
-------------------------------------
SlapShot Radio is back every Wednesday at 7pm on 102.5 the Game and the SlapShot Radio Network, we are back on Wednesday October 29. Our premier, day one sponsor is back, that’s
Dr. Jane Bacon at Hermitage Family and Cosmetic Dentistry … make your appointment at 615-872-7762.
Want to be part of the SlapShot Radio family? We have effective and affordable advertising packages for every budget. Advertisers… reach out to me to access our activated listener base via email at paul(@)slapshotradio(dot)com
Radio station owners/programmers, join the SlapShot Radio Network… contact me using the email above to carry SlapShot Radio on your station, we are satellite delivered every week via SkyView on the SlapShot Radio Network. Each show contains two full breaks for your usage.
Our podcasts are posted… Click
here to download or listen to any of this season’s podcasts.
-------------------------------------
KINDLE USERS: Please subscribe to Predators Buzz, a one-stop feed for all things Predators-related on HockeyBuzz. Your subscription includes a free 14-day trial and is just 99 cents per month thereafter. For more information,
click here.
Nashville Predators Blogger •Predators Radio Network • 
Join the Discussion:
»